Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

Fiona Tuomey founded HUGG, Ireland’s national suicide bereavement charity, following the death of her 11-year-old daughter Milly by suicide in 2016.She joins Kieran to discuss the impact suicide has and the importance of suicide prevention.

1 in 10 people in the UK have admitted to not cleaning parts of their homes in more than a year. A survey commissioned by Febreze Fabric Refresher found that the most neglected places are behind and under furniture, inside drawers and curtains.Associate Professor Dr. Amalia Scannell, Microbiologist and Food Biotechnologist in the UCD Institute of Food and Health, joins Kieran to discuss why we should be more thorough with our cleaning.

The average cost of renting a home is almost €2,000 a month, an increase of 43% on pre-pandemic prices. That’s according to new research by Daft.ie.To discuss, Kieran is joined by James Murphy, a Landlord in Meath, Marian Finnegan, Managing Director of Sherry Fitzgerald and Naoise O’ Faogain, a Dublin-based renter and representative for the tenant's union CATU.

68% of people have never switched their current account according to a new Credit Union survey…To answer some of your questions regarding the ins and outs of switching accounts, Kieran is joined by Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk.

We’re sorry to tell you this news, but Instagram is dead! That is according to Aisling Bonner, Co-Presenter of Fully Charged on Spin 1038, who says that the app is nothing like it used to be.She joins Kieran to discuss why.

The RSA have launched their plans for World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims ahead of the official day on Sunday, November 17th.Laura Rice, daughter of Alan Rice who died in a road traffic collision in 2021, joins Kieran to discuss how important it is for communities to come together and remember those who are lost...

This week, Kieran was joined by Playwright Amanda Brunker to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) are considering significant reform to the Leaving Certificate in an effort to curb the anxiety and pressure which final exams are causing students.Current changes under consideration are that there would be a single English and Maths exam, and that students would undertake a project worth 40% in both subjects to make up marks.Joining Kieran to discuss is Conor Skehan, former TU Dublin Lecturer and Paul Crone, Director of The National Association of Principals and Deputies.

In the lead up to the General Election, the Hard Shoulder is doing the Campaign Trail Tracker, a daily update of what you need to know before the big voting day on November 29th. It can be hard to keep up with all the news. This is your daily catch-up.Today, Kieran discusses newly-released manifestos, and claims in Kerry that election posters have been stolen, and even burned.Also, today is the last day to register to vote. If you haven’t already, go to checktheregister.ie before the date rolls over!

Prince William has been named as the sexiest bald man of 2024, according to new research.But, how do you become a sexy bald man?Joining Kieran to discuss and share their own stories is Newstalk’s own Simon Tierney and Hugh Keenan.

For the first of the big debates for the General Election on the Hard Shoulder, today’s focus is on infrastructure.How will the candidates vying for votes aim to improve public transport, roads and public amenities?Joining Kieran to debate is Roisin Garvey, Deputy Leader of Green Party, Spokesperson for Rural Development and Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Green Party Candidate for Clare, Cian O’Callaghan, Deputy Leader of Social Democrats and candidate in Dublin Bay North, Micheal Fitzmaurice, Independent Ireland Candidate for Roscommon-Galway and Shane Moynihan, Fianna Fail Councilor for Palmerstown-Fonthill and Candidate for Dublin Mid-West.

Robbie Williams is coming back to Dublin in August of next year. Henry McKean met him at a press conference in Croke Park today, and joins Kieran with all the details, plus Robbie’s comments on Liam Payne and Oasis.

The Australian Government has introduced new legislation which would put a social media ban in place for those under 16 years of age. The legislation would give the likes of X, Facebook and Instagram a year to put in place methods to restrict younger users – is this the correct solution to the harms of social media? And should Ireland follow suit?Joining Kieran to discuss is Broadcaster, Wendy Grace and Cyberpsychology Lecturer in IADT, Nicola Fox Hamilton.

Today the Examiner has reported that people are using Netflix and social media while driving the car…The warning has come from Inspector Fergal O’Donovan, who is in charge of roads policing in Cork.What needs to be done to crack down on dangerous road users?Kieran is joined Brenda Bolger of the Bolger School of Motoring to discuss.

From the new age games like wordle to the old classics like sudoku, we all love a cheeky brain game to pass the time.But, how good are these games for your brain, and why do we love to complete them?Joining Kieran to discuss is Ian Robertson, Clinical Psychologist, Neuroscientist and Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Psychotherapist and author, Iseult White to discuss breaking bad habits, such as nail biting and nose picking. For what reasons do kids pick them up, and how can you stop them?

Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch has confirmed that he will be running in this upcoming election in his local constituency of Dublin Central.But, with his current record, and recent arrest in Spain for alleged money laundering offences, can he even run?Nicola Tallant, Investigations Editor with the Sunday World and host of the Crime World Podcast joins Kieran to discuss.

In the lead up to the General Election, the Hard Shoulder is doing the Campaign Trail Tracker, a daily update of what you need to know before the big voting day on November 29th. It can be hard to keep up with all the news. This is your daily catch-up.Today, Kieran details Michael O’Leary’s comments on teachers, Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch’s plans to run and more.

With a General Election looming, if you haven’t already, tomorrow is the last day you can register to vote.Joining Kieran to let you know how you can register is Art O’Leary, Chief Executive of An Comuisiún Tohcháin, Ireland’s Independent Electoral Commission.

Do you have a neighbour or property in your community that is failing to cut that hedge or keeping their property in a terrible state?Angie Baily, Fine Gael Councillor for Tralee has called for private property owners to be fined for untidiness. She, along with Maura Healy-Rae, Independent Councillor for the Killarney Municipal District, join Kieran to discuss.